Day 289

3/1/23

Togetherness...is it overrated?

Wherever we are, there are our Goldens. In the kitchen during meal preparation, in the living room while watching TV, in the sunroom when we are reading...the list goes on and is all-inclusive!

Not only do they follow us around, but once they realize we are going to stay put for a few minutes, they tend to gather as a pack of furry bodies at our feet. It is endearing as long as you remember to step over the golden barricades!

Animals have reasons to gather together. Predators are deterred, wind is reduced, rain can't find its way to penetrate entire bodies and food is easier to access as a group. Beyond that, I presume that animals simply like to know another safe, warm body is close at hand (or paw). Farm animals, herds in the prairies, and jungle inhabitants and ocean dwellers can be found in clusters. In fact there are some interesting words to identify this fact:

Ants are a colony or army.
Dolphins are a pod.
Foxes are a skulk.
Rhinoceroses are a crash! ( I like that one!)
Parrots are a pandemonium.
Giraffes are a tower.
Hippopotami are a bloat! (Hah!)
Sharks are a shiver! (I agree with that one!!!)
Manatees are an aggregation. (My favorite animal!)

The list goes on and on. The question in my mind is, "What about humans?"

Being part of the Animal Kingdom, we do seem to present some characteristics found in other species. Gathering as a group seems to be one of them.

We have reunions, teams, theaters, stadiums, parks, shopping centers and so much more. I realize some of these venues exist due to space or access, but most people tend to head to places where they can congregate.

So, humans tend to gravitate towards groups of other humans. Having said this, in my opinion, the best "gathering" is with family, friends or loved ones. Those who know us best can enrich a gathering with memories and love.

Being a human myself, one of my favorite places to congregate is with my people...two-legged and 4-legged alike. Even if we tried to have a few minutes without our Goldens, our "pack" of pups would find us no matter what. So, we gather and count our many blessings sitting in chairs, couches and on the floor at our feet. Togetherness is not overrated. It is a gift!